Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : #Healthy Foods - Aarden Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

#Healthy Foods - Aarden Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)

Strawberries

Strawberries is a genius of Fragaria × ananassa belongs to the family Roseaceae. They have been grown all over the world with suitable climate for commercial profits and for health benefits.

Nutritional supplements1. Carbohydrate
2. Dietary fiber
3. Omega 3 fatty acid
4. Calcium
5. Iron
6. Magnesium
7. Phosphorus
8. Potassium
9. Sodium
10. Zinc
11. Copper
12. Manganese
13. Selenium
14. Vitamin C
15. Thiamin
16. Niacin
17. Pantothenic acid
18. Vitamin B-6
19. Folate
20. Vitamin B-12
21. Vitamin A
22. Vitamin E
23. Vitamin K
24. Etc.

Health benefits
A. Health benefits according to studies
1. Atherosclerosis
In the investigation of Strawberries and its antioxidants and reduce cardiovascular risk effects found that short-term freeze-dried strawberry supplementation improved selected atherosclerotic risk factors, including dyslipidemia and circulating adhesion molecules in subjects with metabolic syndrome, and these results need confirmation in future trials. according to "Strawberries decrease atherosclerotic markers in subjects with metabolic syndrome" by Basu A, Fu DX, Wilkinson M, Simmons B, Wu M, Betts NM, Du M, Lyons TJ.(a)

2. Lipid peroxidation
In the evaluation of Strawberry flavonoids and its anti-inflammatory effect found that Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly lower at 4 weeks versus baseline (-5% and -6%, respectively, p < 0.05), as was lipid peroxidation in the form of malondialdehyde and hydroxynonenal (-14%, p < 0.01). Oxidized-LDL showed a decreasing trend at 4 weeks (p = 0.123). No effects were noted on markers of inflammation including C-reactive protein and adiponectin. A significant number of subjects (13/16) showed an increase in plasma ellagic acid at four weeks versus baseline, while no significant differences were noted in dietary intakes at four weeks versus baseline. Thus, short-term supplementation of freeze-dried strawberries appeared to exert hypocholesterolemic effects and decrease lipid peroxidation in women with metabolic syndrome., according to "Freeze-dried strawberry powder improves lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in women with metabolic syndrome: baseline and post intervention effects" by Basu A, Wilkinson M, Penugonda K, Simmons B, Betts NM, Lyons TJ.(b)

3. Human health
In the review and update of the current knowledge on the potential impact of strawberry on human health, found that the mechanisms responsible for the potential health-promoting effects of strawberry may not be necessarily searched in the activity of phytochemicals. Particularly, a greater interest should be addressed to show whether a prolonged strawberry consumption may effectively improve the folate status and reduce the incidence of folate-related pathological conditions. Furthermore, the hypouricaemic effects of cherries need to be evaluated also in respect to strawberry intake, and the mechanisms of actions and anti-gout potentialities need to be studied in detail. Future investigations involving human trials should be aimed at following these underestimated scientific tracks, according to "Impact of strawberries on human health: insight into marginally discussed bioactive compounds for the Mediterranean diet" by Tulipani S, Mezzetti B, Battino M.(c)

4. Antioxidant enzymes
In the identification of essential nutrient and beneficial phytochemicals of strawberry and their effects on gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric ulcer, colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease found that Strawberry extracts prevented exogenous ethanol-induced damage to rats' gastric mucosa. These effects seem to be associated with the antioxidant activity and phenolic content in the extract as well as with the capacity of promoting the action of antioxidant enzymes. A diet rich in strawberries might exert a beneficial effect in the prevention of gastric diseases related to generation of reactive oxygen species, according to "Strawberry polyphenols attenuate ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats by activation of antioxidant enzymes and attenuation of MDA increase" by Alvarez-Suarez JM, Dekanski D, Ristić S, Radonjić NV, Petronijević ND, Giampieri F, Astolfi P, González-Paramás AM, Santos-Buelga C, Tulipani S, Quiles JL, Mezzetti B, Battino M.(d)

5. Anti inflammationIn the observation of Ethanolic extract of Fragaria vesca (EFFV) of Fragaria vesca L. and its effect on Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (chronic recurrent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)) found that EFFV at 500 mg/kg showed significant amelioration of experimentally induced IBD, which may be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, according to "Effect of fruit extract of Fragaria vesca L. on experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in albino rats" by Kanodia L, Borgohain M, Das S.(e)

6. Etc.

B. Health benefits according to concentration
1. Vitamin CIn the evaluation of pulmonary dysfunction. and it effects on pulmonary dysfunction found that At present, evidence from randomised-controlled trials is insufficient to recommend a specific role for vitamin C in the treatment of asthma. Further methodologically strong and large-scale randomised controlled trials are needed in order to address the question of the effectiveness of vitamin C in children with asthma but some outcome data showed effectiveness on lung function, symptom scores, IgE levels and inhaled steroid use. One small study showed a significant difference in % drop in FEV1 post-exercise, according to the study of "Vitamin C supplementation for asthma" by Kaur B, Rowe BH, Arnold E.(1)

2. ManganeseIt is one of important trace in preventing osteoporosis, according to the study of "[Study of estrogen deficiency impact on manganese levels in teeth and mandible of rats after ovariectomy]. [Article in Polish]" by Rahnama M, Błoniarz J, Zareba S, Swiatkowski W.(1)and regulating blood sugar level, according to the study of "[An inadequate intake of manganese may favour insulin resistance in girls]. [Article in Spanish]" by Rodríguez-Rodríguez E, Bermejo LM, López-Sobaler AM, Ortega RM.(2)

3. Dietary fiberDaily intake of right amount of fibers can prvent and treata. Diabetes, as Increased consumption of vegetables, whole grains, and soluble and insoluble fiber is associated with improved glucose metabolism in both diabetic and nondiabetic individuals. Improvements in insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis were more evident in participants following a plant-based diet compared with other commonly used diets, according to the study of "Efficacy of high-fiber diets in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus" by Wolfram T, Ismail-Beigi F.(3)

4. FolateIn the investigation of the prevalence and multifactorial etiology of anemia among Indian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children and its effect on anemia, found that Anemia, particularly iron deficiency anemia and anemia of inflammation, is highly prevalent among children with HIV infection. Micronutrient supplements (iron and, folate) combined with ART(antiretroviral therapy) improved anemia in HIV-infected children, according to "The prevalence and etiology of anemia among HIV-infected children in India" by Shet A, Arumugam K, Rajagopalan N, Dinakar C, Krishnamurthy S, Mehta S, Shet AS.(4)

5. Etc.

C. Other health benefits

1. Common cold and hear diseases
Vitamin C is best known for its function in preventing and treating of common cold, according to the study of "Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold" by Douglas RM, Hemilä H, Chalker E, Treacy B., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17636648)and as a powerful antioxidant, it not only promotes the immune system in protecting our body, but also improves the capillary from breaking off, thus reducing the risk of heart diseases and stroke, according to the study of "Effect of long-term treatment with antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium) on arterial compliance, humoral factors and inflammatory markers in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors" by Shargorodsky M, Debby O, Matas Z, Zimlichman R., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20604917) researchers found that Antioxidant supplementation significantly increased large and small artery elasticity in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. This beneficial vascular effect was associated with an improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as decrease in blood pressure.

2. information transmitting of the nerve cell

Manganese is found mostly in your bones, kidneys, liver and pancreas, manganese acts as coenzymes to assist our body in biochemical transformations, especially in promoting the information transmitting of the nerve cells, according to the study of "Role of manganese in neurodegenerative diseases" by Bowman AB, Kwakye GF, Herrero Hernández E, Aschner M.,posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21963226)

3. Waste removal

Fiber beside improves the function of the large intestine in stool removal, it also helps to release the glucose slowly into blood stream, thus reducing the stress of pancreas in insulin production, thus reducing the risk of type II diabetes, according to the study of "Efficacy of high-fiber diets in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus" by Wolfram T, Ismail-Beigi F., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20713332)

4. Iodine

Iodine is essential to enhance the production of tyrosine-based hormones - thyroxine(T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃), thus increasing the function of thyroid in regulating the growth and development of the body and protecting against hyper and hypo-thyroidism, according to the article of "Thyroid Regulation" posted in Life Extension.

5. Potassium

This mineral is vital for nerve cells of the brain in enhancing the transmitting information between themselves and cells in the body, according to the article of "Potassium In Foods" By Shereen Jegtvig, About.com Guide, Updated October 08, 2011, posted in About.com

6. Breast cancer

Folate or vitamin B12 is important in prevent the forming breast cancer, according to the article of "Folate, Vitamin B6 Fight Breast Cancer" posted in WebMD, the writer wrote that women with the highest folate levels were 27% less likely to have breast cancer than those with the lowest folate levels.

7. Etc.

Side effects

1. Some people experience anaphylactoid reaction to the consumption of strawberries

2. Oxalation
Oxalates in high concentration can cause problem for people with kidney diseases.